Ala Moana Bowls Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what’s coming down the line for the next couple of weeks. We've got one spot on the radar: Ala Moana Bowls. Gotta be straight with you – the start of this run looks rough. There’s a long stretch of poor conditions, so don’t be in a rush.

The water temp is sittin' at a normal 81°, nothing unusual there.

We’re looking at a pretty barren start. From Thursday the 6th all the way through Sunday the 10th, it’s pretty much a write-off. The winds are a stiff cross-off from the ENE at 15-22 mph, and while the wave faces look clean, the actual surf quality is terrible. The swell is small and all over the place – short period, mixed direction. It's just not coming together. The combined energy is weak to moderate for the most part, with readings around 165 to 604. Don't bother.

The next week, from Monday the 11th through to Wednesday the 13th, we see a bit more energy coming from the south with a very long period, 15-18 seconds. But the wind is still howling from the ENE at 19-25 mph, creating that messy cross-off condition. The combined energy jumps up into the 800s and 900s, which is moderate, but the forecasts still say marginal at best. A long-period south swell like that at a reef break like Bowls could have some juice, but with that wind, it'll be bumpy and hard to handle. Not worth paddling out for the average surfer.

Then, from Thursday the 14th through Tuesday the 18th, things get bigger but not better. The swell height climbs from 7 ft up to a solid 10 ft. The period is still short at 7-9 seconds. The combined energy is strong, hitting 1553 on the 16th. This is expert territory, and with the cross-off wind still blowing 22-28 mph, these waves will be a beast. It’s big, it’s powerful, and it’s messy. The waves will be breaking with a lot of force, and that wind won't help the shape. This is for the charger crew only, and honestly, with that onshore component, it might be more fun for the kite surfers.

Now, after that big pulse, Wednesday the 19th brings a bit of a drop in swell size to 5 ft from the east with a better period of 10 seconds. The wind eases a touch to 19-22 mph. The combined energy is 449, still moderate. It’s still a marginal call, but this is the closest thing we get to a *maybe* for a few cleaner waves, especially if you’re patient.

As for a true standout, the best on offer is the afternoon of Tuesday the 18th of August. The swell is 8 ft from the ENE with a 9-second period, and while the energy is very strong at 1336, the wind is the lightest we see for that whole big swell window at 22 mph. It’s still a cross-off, but it’s the best of a bad bunch for the experts. The rest of the run through to the 21st fades back to small, poor-quality south swell.

Honestly, it’s a tough period. If you’re dead set on getting wet, keep an eye on that Tuesday the 18th, but temper your expectations. This one’s a hard pass for most.

Rusty.

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